By Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
IPOH: “My husband and I only eat once a day… even the money we make from selling recyclables is only enough to buy a pack of chicken rice.”
That was the emotional confession of an elderly woman who now depends entirely on collecting and selling recyclables to make ends meet while caring for her ailing husband.
The couple, who live in Jalan Merpati, Ipoh Garden, had recently drawn criticism online after photos of a large pile of used items, including plastic bottles, cardboard, and other discarded materials, outside their home went viral.
However, a visit by Ipoh Echo/Peraktastic revealed a deeper story behind the heap – it is the couple’s only source of income.
The woman, in her 70s, said she collects recyclable items daily to sell at a nearby recycling centre.
“I get about 90 sen for every kilogramme of plastic bottles. If I manage to earn RM5 or RM6 a day, that’s enough to buy food,” she said when we met.
She added that some thoughtful individuals leave bags of used plastic bottles and other discarded materials at the front of their home to ease her burden.
“I’m thankful there are still people who care. But the truth is, life is hard. My husband is no longer well and can’t work, and I’m old myself. Still, I have to keep going,” she said tearfully.
What makes the situation more heartbreaking is that the couple have two children, but neither has come forward to help or check on them.
“When we were younger, we worked hard and never troubled anyone. But ever since we stopped working, life has become difficult, and we have no one to rely on,” she said.
She also revealed that she had once been fined for storing recyclable materials around the house, but has pleaded with the authorities to give her some time and flexibility to sell off the remaining items.
“I know what I’m doing is against the law, but I have no choice. I hope the authorities can give us more time. I simply cannot afford to pay the fine,” she said.
The couple’s story is a stark reminder that poverty still exists even in urban neighbourhoods, and calls for greater awareness and empathy.
Should society continue to criticise without understanding the full story?
It is perhaps time for all parties, including the relevant agencies, to come forward and help resolve the plight of this elderly couple.
Their story is not just a portrait of hardship, but also a reflection of the grim reality faced by many elderly individuals who are neglected and left to fend for themselves without support or compassion from their own families.
